NEW YORK, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- David Wells tossed a five-hitter for his second complete game of the season Friday night as the New York Yankees routed the Detroit Tigers, 8-1, for their fourth straight victory.
Wells (16-8), who tied Mike Mussina for the team lead in wins and kept alive hopes of reaching 20 for the second time in his career, displayed pinpoint control. He threw 83 of 105 pitchers for strikes against his former team, striking out five without a walk.
It was the 48th career complete game for Wells, who this year has received more than 7 1/2 runs per start.
His lone 20-win season came two years ago with the Toronto Blue Jays. He should have five starts left this season.
The Tigers got their only run in the first as Hiram Bocachica led off with a double and scored on groundouts by Damion Easley and Bobby Higginson.
It appeared for a while that the 1-0 lead might hold up as Mark Redman (8-14) baffled New York early with offspeed pitches. He retired the first 11 batters.
But New York tied it in the fourth on two-out singles by Jason Giambi and Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada's double over the head of Higginson in left field.
It was Posada's 36th double, breaking Bill Dickey's team record for catchers.
Redman did not survive the sixth as the Yankees delivered six consecutive two-out hits in a six-run uprising. Derek Jeter, Giambi, Williams, Posada and Raul Mondesi had RBI singles while another run scored on Higginson's throwing error.
Giambi capped the scoring in the seventh with a solo homer, his 35th, tying Soriano for the team lead.
